# NTSB SEA84FA007: Cessna 182Q, N97845, Near Challis, ID, October 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1983, 09:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Near Challis, ID
- Coordinates: 44.649101, -114.149795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6491&lon=-114.1498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39778/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA007

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AT AN ELEVATION OF 8560 FT MSL. THE CRASH SITE WAS ON THE EAST SIDE OF A RIDGE & APRX 30 TO 40 FT BELOW THE RIDGELINE. THE RIDGE RAN NORTHEAST-SOUTHWEST & FORMED THE WEST SIDE OF DRY CANYON. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 9000 FT AS THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING THE RIDGELINE. HE STATED THAT HE COULD SEE THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLEAR THE RIDGE. HE TURNED TOWARD THE VALLEY, BUT THE ACFT HIT TREES. HOWEVER, A WITNESS REPORTED THEACFT ENTERED DRY CANYON WHILE AT APRX 400 FT AGL. THE TERRAIN ELEVATION AT THE ENTRANCE WAS ABOUT 6500 FT MSL & THE ENTRANCE IS APRX 3 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE WITNESS STATED THAT A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE ACFT PASSED HIS POSITION, HE HEARD THE ENG ROAR, THEN NOTHING. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PLT & PASSENGERS, THE INVESTIGATOR ESTABLISHED THAT THE ACFT ENTERED THE CANYON AT APRX 500 FT AGL. THE ENG WAS EXAMINED & A TEST RUN WAS CONDUCTED WHICH SHOWED EVIDENCE OF NORMAL OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N97845 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18267218
- Airframe hours: 1131
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ada County Aerial Sheriff'S
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 1983, 170 hours before
- Departed: BOI, BOISE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,388 total, 123 in this make and model, 1,866 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19831009055639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831009055639A), Oct 9, 1983: Cessna 182Q, Challis, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees below a ridgeline. Reported engine problem. None found. Indicates too low to clear rising terrain.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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